0. Prelude

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ybn1197 · #121 Post by **ybn1197** » Wed May 13, 2015 7:12 pm

Athriel nods his head. "You got the idea that he knows more than he is letting on to," he says more as a statement than a question.

#122 Post by **Alethan** » Wed May 13, 2015 8:14 pm

Noting the others leaving the tent and heading down the alley, Ty sits quietly at his post, wondering what they're doing and remaining alert to his surroundings.

tooleychris · #123 Post by **tooleychris** » Wed May 13, 2015 9:00 pm

"I think he was as honest as he wanted to be." Petra whispers still watching Marshal ."But you never know. And he may have had company we don't know about."

Das · #124 Post by **Das** » Wed May 13, 2015 11:32 pm

Marshal rubbed his nose in a subtle gesture than he entered the tent himself. In his hands he pulled out some gold coins clicking them together to annouch himself. He had a few questions of his own actually and wanted a face to their source....should it be useful in the long term.

#125 Post by **dmw71** » Thu May 14, 2015 2:05 am

Petra and Athriel exit the tent and walk arm-and-arm down the alley and around a corner. Petra motions to Marshal, indicating her desire for him to watch the tent while she and Athriel sit by and observe from a safe distance, along with Ty whom continues to hold his position. "Let's see if our oracle is in a hurry to leave." she says.

Surprising everyone, Marshal rubs his nose in a subtle gesture to Petra, then proceeds to enter the small, well-patched tent himself.

---

After stepping inside, Marshal immediately spies an aged, bald, Varisian man with threadbare purple robes and piercing eyes sitting behind a table covered in blue velvet, stitched with moons, stars, and arcane symbols. A dusty crystal ball and a dog-eared harrow deck sit upon it. As Marshal enters, he gestures broadly and, in a well-rehearsed manner, states the following in a tremulous voice, “The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse.”

Das · #126 Post by **Das** » Thu May 14, 2015 5:49 am

Marshal swung his cloak away from his body to make certain the man show his finer noble clothing and sat down still playing with the five gold coins in a single hand. As if debating it he put down two of them on the table and slid them across the table to the man. "Lets see what two gold coins get me before I start unraveling the secrets of the multi-verse shall we." He smiled good-naturedly. He made a point to play with the three remaining gold coins in his one hand. Clicking them together as he did so.

"I've come to know a few things if you would do me the honor. Firstly, I was recently made outcast by my family. You have heard of them no doubt...the Surefoots. I know it sounds more halfling than dwarven, long story involving my great great grandfather and his forbidden love with a halfling servant woman. But I digress, I wish to know if I will ever be allowed to return to my family and if so....how will I do it?" As he spoke with his other hand he played with his signet ring rotating it around his pointer finger with his thumb.

As he spoke Marshal looked around. Outside had been clear of any onlookers or the sort, at least as much as he could tell but he was interested in this man and the interior of his tent. So he watched the man himself as he worked and looked about his tent for anything of true worth, danger or another hidden person. Also curious if the man had a familiar or animal about, a sure sign of a wizard or sorcerer. Though he doubted he was anything more than a charlatan.

ybn1197 · #127 Post by **ybn1197** » Thu May 14, 2015 1:24 pm

Athriel flinches as he watches Marshal enter the tent which he and Petra had so recently vacated. "What do you think he is playing at?"

tooleychris · #128 Post by **tooleychris** » Thu May 14, 2015 10:50 pm

"He sees something. " Petra says to Athriel.
"Wait. Where's he going? Damn. I just wanted him to watch! Should we go see What's what? Maybe he saw something suspicious... "

ybn1197 · #129 Post by **ybn1197** » Fri May 15, 2015 1:06 pm

Athriel

"No I think it best if we wait it out. If he had seen something he would have alerted us. Lets just be patient a bit longer."

#130 Post by **dmw71** » Sat May 16, 2015 3:05 am

Marshal swings open his cloak as he enters, hoping to show off his more noble attire, and begins toying with a fist of gold coins. He places two of them down and slides the across the table. "Lets see what two gold coins get me before I start unraveling the secrets of the multi-verse shall we." he says, smiling good-naturedly, while overtly continuing to play with the three remaining coins. Marshal takes a moment to study the interior of the seer’s tent and does not notice any other exits, hidden or otherwise, and the man appears to be alone, with no hint of an animal companion or familiar. His appraisal of the crystal ball, however, leaves him impressed, as he suspects it to be genunie, and actually quite valuable.

The dwarf proceeds to share with Zograthy that he was outcast by his family, and wonders if he will ever be allowed to return, and how will I he do it.

The fortune teller, as he did with Petra and Athriel before him, shuffles the well worn deck of cards and, once they’ve been sufficiently randomized, flips five cards over, one at a time, starting off positively, but growing more and more negative with each successive turn. He rattles off each cards meaning as it is revealed.

First: Wheel of Fortune

: Wheel of Fortune.jpg (46.34 KiB) Viewed 378 times

"You will face many opportunities in the near future, and fate appears to favor you in these endeavors."

Second: Justice

: Justice.jpg (47 KiB) Viewed 378 times

"Some of your decisions will be met with great criticism. People may treat you with coldness."

Third: The Devil

: Devil.jpg (43.18 KiB) Viewed 378 times

"You are quite materialistic, and will attain great wealth… and will cause many a man to grow jealous of you."

Fourth: Hanged Man

: Hanged Man.jpg (32.3 KiB) Viewed 378 times

"There will be a great sacrifice. You will need to let go or surrender something dear to you."

Fifth: Death

: Death.jpg (46.17 KiB) Viewed 378 times

"You will ultimately be met with great sadness, and loss. Possibly the loss of a life."

Taking in the results of all the cards, Zograthy sighs deeply. "I do not see you ever reuniting with your family. I’m sorry."

"Oh, and do be careful."

After a allowing the potentially shocking results to settle in, Zograthy clears his throat. "Anything else the Great Zograthy can do for you?" he asks.

Das · #131 Post by **Das** » Sat May 16, 2015 5:54 am

Marshal stood with a sad smile. Flipping another gold coin to then man for his troubles. "I am a man who likes to know things. Your a man who enjoys telling things. I believe we will be seeing one another in the future. Good day to you, Great Zograthy." He said with respect. Than he turned and left...after he exited he patted himself down for anything missing and causally walked off...covering his noble garments with his cloak once again.

#132 Post by **dmw71** » Sat May 16, 2015 3:43 pm

Zograthy quickly collects the extra gold coin Marshal gives him, and nods at the suggestion the two would meet again. Marshal exits the tent and is quickly spotted by Petra and Athriel, who sit idly by in the alley around the corner, and Ty who remained patiently watching from his position. The four relative strangers are once again rejoined outside the seer's tent a short distance away, where they share their findings:

Natalya was a member of a Sczarni gang known as the Tower Girls, a group of cat burglars.
The Tower Girls are actually looking for Natalya themselves.
There are folks along the waterfront, both here in Beacon’s Point and over in Dockway and Underbridge, that have been disappearing of late. Maybe Natalya was one of those abducted?
The disappearances are not a Sczarni (or pirate) plot - in fact, the Sczarni seem quite interested in solving the vanishings themselves.
That it is unlikely Marshal will ever be reunited with is family.

Das · #133 Post by **Das** » Sat May 16, 2015 6:26 pm

Marshal didn't reveal his findings with the man. But he seemed more determined and upbeat since talking to the man. He waited to hear what his companions had learned.

tooleychris · #134 Post by **tooleychris** » Sat May 16, 2015 7:51 pm

"Seems to me" says Petra, "That our Only solid lead is these abductions or disappearances. One of you mentioned her father. That's a possibility as well..."

Das · #135 Post by **Das** » Sat May 16, 2015 9:35 pm

Marshal smiled. "What we need if you don't mind me saying...is to go where they are abducting people. Set up an ambush with a decoy...and take a prisoner for answers. Even if they don't know much, they had to come from someplace.” He looked around to see what they felt about it.

tooleychris · #136 Post by **tooleychris** » Sun May 17, 2015 1:31 am

Petra sighs...
"I was afraid someone would suggest that... " she looks over the group.
"I don't suppose these body snatchers would find dwarven royalty an attractive target?"

Das · #137 Post by **Das** » Sun May 17, 2015 4:59 am

He laughed. "They have been targeting the poor and unseen. Not the rich and fat...I think I'd serve better as a ambusher. Might take someone out with a cheap shot rather easily..." He thumbed back towards the tent."You know that his crystal ball is real. Worth plenty of gold if you ever want some."

#138 Post by **Alethan** » Sun May 17, 2015 8:15 pm

Ty shakes his head, "I might not agree with all the laws of this city, but that doesn't leave me without morals, Marshal. You want to do any thieving for no reason besides some coin, you can do it without me."

"Besides, we'll not be hurting for coin once we find this item and the girl, I'll wager."

#139 Post by **dmw71** » Sun May 17, 2015 8:17 pm

The group, having learned all they can from the seer, begin to formulate their next course of action. Marshal proposes one of the group serve as a decoy while the other wait to ambush those making the assault. "I was afraid someone would suggest that... " Petra says as she looks over the group. "I don't suppose these body snatchers would find dwarven royalty an attractive target?" she quips.

I want to wait for everyone to chime in and agree to a plan, also also specifics as to where the group wants to attempt to set up the proposed operation.

Experience Points
For gaining information from Zograthy: +600 (total), +150 (each)

Note: Players are expected to track their own experience, but I am also tracking it here in the 'Tracking: Character Details' thread.

Das · #140 Post by **Das** » Mon May 18, 2015 5:14 am

Marshal just laughed suddenly. "Well you are going to need gold to purchase feed for that high horse your riding around on obviously. If I am going to do something, I assure you, I will do it. I'll tug on my ear next time I make a joke." He looked around slightly than back at them. "So are we going to try and ambush some slavers? It will make our work easier and give us a place to find. I think we should avoid the crime families or her old gang. That will be nothing but trouble....and reveal us. Our biggest advantage is no one knowing we are looking."

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